Kris Commons reckons Celtic fans shouldn’t bank on seeing a big name bursting through the doors at Parkhead this transfer window.

But the former Hoops hero doesn’t believe Brendan Rodgers needs to sign a marquee man anyway.

Celtic fans have been patiently waiting to see new faces this January but £1million defender Marvin Compper and St Mirren ace Lewis Morgan have been the only new arrivals, with the latter sent back to Paisley on loan until the summer.

Hoops punters are used to getting excited in January over the years but Commons can’t see much point in his old club bursting the bank – even with Zenit St Petersburg around the corner.

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The playmaker admitted Rodgers and Peter Lawwell will be feeling the heat if Jozo Simunovic follows Erik Sviatchenko out the exit door and there’s no top-quality centre-half replacement.

But as for a Robbie or Roy Keane, a Craig Bellamy or even a Freddie Ljungberg? Forget it.

Hoops punters might think there is cash burning a hole in the pocket but Commons’ money is on Celts playing it smart.

He said: “There are not many clubs in Europe these days whose highest transfer fee was 17 years ago. Every single club seems to break their transfer record every year but you look at Chris Sutton at Celtic and that was 17 years ago.

“It shows the resources all these clubs have but Celtic are still in the dark ages where TV money is not coming.

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“But do they need a marquee signing? I don’t think they do. You buy what’s going to make your squad better.

“Over the years Celtic have been renowned for bringing in a marquee signing but if it’s not going to make the squad better there’s no point.

“All these players that came in before – Ljungberg, Keane – they’re on astronomical wages compared to the rest of the squad, so is it worth doing that?

“Celtic are in a much more stable condition now, they look like they’re going to win the Treble again, they look like they’re more than capable of giving anyone in Europe a run for their money on their day. They just need to keep ticking over.

Moussa Dembele is wanted by a host of clubs down south (Image: SNS Group)

“Now obviously if they lose Moussa Dembele or they lose Scott Sinclair for a while that could be damaging to Celtic but I think Brendan Rodgers will already have plan B in place.”

Commons warned there needs to be a back-up plan at the back – otherwise Celts could be facing a revolt before Russia.

The ex-Hoops star said: “There has been some talk and if Simunovic goes then a centre-half will be a must.

“That was one of my main concerns as a Celtic supporter, the weakest part of the defence has been the centre-back position with the mistakes and people not playing to their ability at that level. I know Simunovic and Dedryck Boyata are brilliant centre-halves but if they are not quite at their A-game then you’re going to get found out.

Commons was speaking at a William Hill event ahead of Celtic v Brechin (Image: SNS Group)

“Ultimately the best players in Europe are usually the centre-forwards and they certainly found that out against PSG and Bayern Munich.

“Against Zenit if the two of them are fit and they are both there they are more than capable of doing a job. But if they don’t there will be more pressure and scrutiny put on Brendan and the board for not investing in another centre-half.”

Commons admitted Celtic are caught between a rock and a hard place when it comes to the transfer market. Fees have gone through the roof in England and paying mega-money doesn’t come with any assurances these days.

He said: “The only problem Brendan will have is he could go and invest £10m or even £20m on a player and it’s not going to guarantee him what he can almost guarantee now.

Marvin Compper in training with Celtic (Image: SNS Group)

“We don’t need a centre-half for the league, that will be pretty much wrapped up. But they have a two-legged tie against a very good Russian team and have only signed a centre-half who is not able to play.

“If there is a question mark over whether Simunovic might go then are they prepared to put in a 19-year-old (Kris Ajer) who played in Kazakhstan and conceded four, that could have been 10?

“Brendan will be the first to say what he needs and what he’s got if he loses someone.

“But it’s difficult in this day and age because you could spend £20m on a centre-half and they end up bang average.”

There’s an argument it takes new faces to shake the place up – and to cut out any chance of complacency.

“But Commons added: “Brendan wouldn’t allow that to happen. He’ll have a plan but he’ll also have a plan B and if nothing happens he’ll still be happy with what he’s got.”

● Commons was speaking at a William Hill media event. William Hill is the proud sponsor of the Scottish Cup.